11 Summer Research Programs for High School Students in Georgia
Participating in a summer research program can be a great experience for high school students, offering the chance to explore academic interests beyond the classroom. These programs allow you to conduct research while fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and intellectual curiosity. By working alongside mentors, you will gain insights into fields such as STEM, social sciences, and medicine!
Engaging in a research program showcases your ability to collaborate with professionals, conduct independent work, and think critically—skills highly sought after in competitive college admissions. There are many worthwhile summer research opportunities in Georgia, giving you a solid way to build a foundation for college.
To help you get started, here is a list of 11 summer research programs for high school students in Georgia! Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring.
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Cost: Students only need to cover travel expenses and the cost of basic supplies
Dates: June 15 – July 12
Application Deadline: November 15 (nomination by schools) | January 10 (completed online applications by nominees)
Eligibility: Georgia high school sophomores and juniors nominated by their public school district
The Georgia Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) is a prestigious residential summer program for high school sophomores and juniors who excel in academic or artistic pursuits. GHP offers an educational experience that goes beyond the standard high school curriculum, providing opportunities for academic, cultural, and social enrichment. GHP offers classes in your chosen areas of study during the day, followed by a variety of social and educational activities in the evenings. The program covers meals and accommodations, with students only responsible for minimal costs like travel, class supplies, and personal spending. Nomination by schools is required to apply, making GHP an opportunity for the most driven students in Georgia.
3. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects.
Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Location: Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: Students receive $2,400 upon successful completion
Dates: June 10 – July 19
Application Deadline: Applications will open in Fall
Eligibility: Rising and graduating high school seniors who are at least 17 years old by the program start date
The Summer Scholars Research Program at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University is a six-week internship to introduce high school seniors to cancer research. This opportunity allows you to explore real-world research settings, working with a Winship physician or lab-based researcher on a dedicated project. You will attend lectures from oncology experts and go on field trips to institutions like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s museum and the Georgia Institute of Technology. At the end of the program, you will present your research at a symposium attended by Winship’s medical and research faculty. Each cohort has 10-12 students, making this program selective.
Location: Georgia Tech Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, Atlanta, GA; 4C Academy, Albany, GA
Cost: Free
Dates: 4C Academy: June 3 – June 14; Georgia Tech main campus: July 8 – July 19
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Georgia resident high school students who are at least 16 years old
The GTAE STEP Program at Georgia Tech’s Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering introduces high school students to aerospace research. Sponsored by companies like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and the Georgia Space Grant Consortium, this program allows you to engage with real-world engineering challenges. You will work in teams to address complex, open-ended research problems inspired by ongoing Georgia Tech projects. Guided by faculty mentors, you will apply scientific and engineering principles to design and prototype innovative solutions. At the conclusion of the program, you will present your research findings and prototypes to industry and academic professionals.
Location: University of Georgia campuses (Athens, Tifton, and Griffin in GA)
Cost: Stipend provided
Dates: May 29 – July 12
Application Deadline: January 24
Eligibility: Students must have completed their sophomore year of high school, be at least 16 years old by the program start date, and have completed one high school science course, including laboratory, and one semester of algebra
YSP is a competitive five-week summer internship for high school students interested in agricultural, food, and environmental sciences. You will work 30 hours per week alongside UGA faculty mentors, engaging in research at one of UGA’s campuses in Athens, Griffin, or Tifton. You will participate in workshops and visit agricultural sites, gaining valuable exposure to a wide range of careers in the agricultural field. At the end of the program, you’ll showcase your research findings in a poster session. This presentation allows you to share your work with fellow students, faculty, and the academic community.
Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Stipend is provided for the internship
Dates: June 3 – June 19
Application Deadline: February 29
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who attend one of the 7 partner Georgia high schools, are at least 16 years old by the program start date, have a 3.0 or above overall GPA, and have a 3.0 or above in science courses
Project ENGAGES at Georgia Tech is a year-long, paid research program introducing under-represented minority high school students to scientific research. Focused on fields such as biology, physics, and engineering disciplines like environmental engineering, materials science, and robotics, this program allows you to contribute to active research projects in Georgia Tech’s laboratories. You’ll spend a minimum of 35 hours per week during the summer conducting research under the mentorship of Georgia Tech faculty. Before beginning your own research, you’ll attend a 4-week boot camp where you’ll learn basic research skills necessary for success. The program also offers enrichment activities aimed at helping you discover career paths in STEM. Program alumni have won scholarships at colleges like Stanford, Harvard, Columbia, and Dartmouth.
Location: University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Cost: No information available
Dates: July 9 – July 14
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Underrepresented high school students in Georgia going into their senior year
The Georgia Ready Summer Institute is a one-week residential program that introduces high school students to research and the collegiate experience at the University of Georgia (UGA). You will explore your research interests and learn how researchers identify challenges, collect and analyze data, and engage in entrepreneurial ventures. You will participate in activities to better understand your personal and professional aspirations while connecting those interests to potential careers. You will have the opportunity to network with UGA faculty, alumni, and peers. This experience will also foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills, preparing you for future academic and professional endeavors.
Location: Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $1,000
Dates: June 4 – July 12
Application Deadline: March 22
Eligibility: Rising 10th to 12th graders with a minimum 3.0 GPA
The MSM S.T.E.A.M. Academy offers an introduction to biomedical research and health careers. You will gain experience with scientific instrumentation and laboratory techniques while attending mini-courses and workshops on topics such as health equity, careers in science and health professions, critical thinking, and career planning. For students seeking a more in-depth research experience, the Authentic Research Experience allows you to engage in a scientific investigation under the mentorship of a Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) research professional.
Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: A stipend will be provided
Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: The pre-application process will start in December
Eligibility: Georgia high school students who are at least 16 years old
This summer internship is a five-week, paid research opportunity for Georgia high school students, offering experience in science and engineering projects within Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) labs. You will work closely with GTRI researchers, engaging in real-world research on rapid prototyping, robotics, drones, and radar physics. You will contribute to ongoing projects, from building piezoelectric tiles for energy generation at the NASA visitors’ center to developing educational kiosks on night vision technology. In addition to lab work, you will participate in workplace orientations, lab tours, and specialized training sessions in soldering and circuit board design. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research findings and prototypes.
Bonus
Although this opportunity isn't a traditional research program, it provides a valuable introduction to undergraduate life at a research university and helps build skills that will be useful in research and beyond.
Location: Oxford College of Emory University, Oxford, GA
Cost: Free
Dates: June 3 – June 7
Application Deadline: Unspecified
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th-grade students from Newton County School System and Putnam County Charter School System
The Oxford College Summer Experience Program at Emory University is designed to prepare high school students for college life while helping them explore potential career paths. This residential program includes faculty-led academic seminars, workshops on college fundamentals, and field trips. Past participants have engaged in subjects like English, political science, and chemistry while building leadership skills and making valuable social connections. The program’s goals include increasing awareness of educational and career options and guiding students through the college admission process, including financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.